Curzon Wharf

Curzon Wharf Birmingham – World’s first mixed-use net zero carbon masterplan in a key quarter of Birmingham city centre

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Background

Woodbourne Group assembled Curzon Wharf through the acquisition of three separate adjoining sites over a period of three years – Motorway Trading Estate in 2016; Unit 7 (formerly part of the Motorway Trading Estate) in 2017; and Mill Wharf in 2019.

The extent of the proposed site is defined by the canal to the south, Mill Street and Aston Locks to the east, the A38(M) Dartmouth Circus roundabout to the north and Aston Road to the west. The land is currently referred to as the Motorway Trading Estate.

In November 2017, Woodbourne Group met with Birmingham City Council, to discuss the prospects of a major redevelopment and presented a scheme which covered the land to the north of Mill Street only.

The Council advised that the prospects of securing planning permission for the redevelopment of the site, would be increased significantly, if the land to the south of Mill Street (Mill Wharf), was included within the proposal to incorporate the canal-side to form a comprehensive masterplan.

Subsequently, Woodbourne Group acquired the land to the south of Mill Street (Mill Wharf) in Autumn 2019 and met with Council representatives again. The Policy Officer concluded that there was an exceptional justification in principle in support of the exciting masterplan being proposed.

Site History

1780’S
Early History
1838
Curzon Street Station
1900’S
Industrial Foundry & Mill
1950’S
Horse Drawn Coal Barge
1970’S
Dartmouth Circus
Today
Curzon Wharf Masterplan
1914-1929
World War I and the Crash
Early History

Historically, the site and surrounding area comprised industrial buildings, including various metal, iron and gas works, situated on the north bank of Aston Locks and along the banks of the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal (built in 1789). The two listed roving bridges to the south of the site date from c.1789 and c.1828.

CURZON STREET STATION

On mapping from 1817 by Robert Dawson, the site appears to be undeveloped. However, by the turn of the Twentieth Century, Ordnance Survey (OS) maps show that the northern part of the site was a mixed industrial and residential area, comprising Coldfield Ironworks, Mill Street Foundry, two malthouses, a sawmill, the Globe Works factory and a small amount of residential housing.

This was undoubtedly due to the site’s close proximity to the canal which provided easy access to the rest of the British canal network and the arrival of the railway at Birmingham station (now Curzon Street station), built in 1838. This made it easy to transport raw materials and distribute finished products.

INDUSTRIAL FOUNDRY & MILL

The early 1900s saw the continued growth of Birmingham's manufacturing sector, with the city becoming a major center for the production of automobiles, motorcycles, and bicycles. The city was home to several major automobile manufacturers, including Rover, Austin, and Morris, which helped to establish Birmingham as a center for automotive innovation.

HORSE DRAWN COAL BARGE

The decline of the horse-drawn coal barge in Birmingham in the 1950s gave way to the rise of new forms of transportation, particularly trucks and trains, for the transport of goods and materials. This shift was a part of a broader transformation in Birmingham's economy and transportation sector, as the city's traditional industries, such as metalworking and engineering, began to decline and new industries, such as electronics and plastics, emerged. The decline of the horse-drawn coal barge also paved the way for the redevelopment of Birmingham's canal system. While the use of the canals for transportation declined in the 1950s, the city recognized the potential of the canal system for leisure and tourism, and began to invest in its redevelopment.

DARTMOUTH CIRCUS

The Dartmouth roundabout and surrounding road network dominate the site’s immediate setting to the north and east. The surrounding area is currently in a state of transition including development by Aston University to the south-west, Birmingham City University and an 11-storey office building (ref. 2019/10607/PA) just south of the canal and immediately opposite the site on Holt Street.

CURZON WHARF MASTERPLAN

The world’s first mixed-use net zero carbon development in a key quarter of Birmingham city centre.

The waterfront ecosystem, to be called Curzon Wharf, will be within eight minutes walking distance of the HS2 Curzon Street Station, offering sweeping views of the city and beyond.
1838
CURZON STREET STATION
Watt Tower | G + 40 storey southern tower to provide purpose-built student accommodation of up to 732 units.
Galton Skytree | G+13 Storey Central tower to provide 122 residential apartments.
Boulton Tower | G + 52 storey northern tower (Tower 3) on a 2 storey podium, to provide up to 498 residential apartments
R&D/Office/Life Sciences | A G+8 storey office / R&D buildings to provide around 12,000sqm space
To improve the connections between the development and the canal, works are proposed to the existing Canalside wall which will open up the route through to the canal bridges. An indicative landscape scheme has been prepared to open up and enhance the connectivity opportunities throughout the site and to the canal, providing focal points through greenery and creative responses to the change in topography. In addition, the development will include various commercial uses at the ground floor, such as retail, cafes and leisure, to encourage new activity in the area and create a vibrant public space around the buildings.
Provision of amenity facilities within the towers and podium including: retail and food and drink uses drinking establishments; indoor assembly and leisure uses such as gymnasiums and bowling alley other communal areas, reception and maintenance / operational space; up to 35 car parking spaces, cycle parking and other associated facilities.
Provision of new hard and soft landscaping and associated sustainable urban drainage features, including the creation of a new landscaped plaza area within the central part of the site, which will also accommodate a re-aligned Mill Street to allow vehicular traffic to access the development.
Alterations to the existing listed Canalside Wall to improve the relationship and connectivity of the Site with the Canal. Various improvements to enhance pedestrian connectivity to and through the Site.

  • "This exciting project will put Birmingham right at the forefront of green, sustainable development and underlines our determination to tackle the climate crisis, while also creating jobs and opportunities for people across the city. We've shown with the recent launch of Our Future City Plan consultation that Birmingham has the ambition and vision to become a more resilient, sustainable and inclusive city and Curzon Wharf shows our determination to turn vision into reality. We want to work with the people and communities of Birmingham as we re-imagine and reshape our city, so I would urge as many people as possible to have their say in this consultation."

    Cllr Ian Ward

    Leader of Birmingham City Council

  • "Birmingham is proud to have young entrepreneurs like Tani who have the persistence and enthusiasm to drive us towards a brighter and more sustainable future.
    His tireless efforts and unwavering commitment to creating the world's first mixed-use Net Zero carbon ready development are a testament to his determination to make a difference."

    Andy Street

    West Midlands Mayor

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